Lance Armstrong will address the "alleged doping scandal, years of
accusations of cheating, and charges of lying about the use of
performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career" when he gives an
exclusive interview to Oprah Winfrey on Thursday, Jan 17.

The announcement of the "no-holds-barred" interview, to be broadcast on the Oprah Winfrey Network, comes just days after speculation that the disgraced cyclist was preparing a full confession to the doping allegations which have destroyed his reputation.

The New York Times claimed Armstrong was on the verge of admitting the charges levelled at him in the damning report compiled by the United States Anti-Doping Association which resulted in his lifetime ban from cycling and any Olympic sport and the removal of his seven Tour de France titles.

The announcement of the interview with Winfrey will give further credence to the idea that the 41 year-old is ready to reveal all about his career.

Winfrey will speak with Armstrong at his home in Austin, Texas in the only interview since he was stripped of his titles and dropped from millions of dollars in endorsement deals.

The announcement also follows claims from Travis Tygart, the chief executive of USADA, that Armstrong offered a $250,000 (£155,000) donation to the agency.

In an interview to be screened on Wednesday evening, Tygart confirms the offer was made “sometime” after 2004. “I was stunned,” Tygart said. “It was clear – it was a clear conflict of interest for USADA. We had no hesitation in rejecting that offer.”

Asked how much money Armstrong offered the agency, Tygart replied: “In excess of $150,000.” Told by the interviewer that the programme had learnt it was $250,000, Tygart answered: “It was around that ballpark.”